Friday, September 21st, 2018

Porto Alegre, Brazil

102nd operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Dec 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Crucifixion

Moses 7:55

And the Lord said unto Enoch: Look, and he looked and beheld the Son of Man lifted up on the cross, after the manner of men;

Book of Mormon

Helaman 7:1-12

*How can we follow Nephi's example in the verses?

- Remember the righteousness of those who have gone before, joy in the righteousness of others, sorrow because of wickedness, be prayerful and seek guidance from Heavenly Father.

Old Testament

Isaiah 16-18

General Conference

Small and Simple Things

President Dallin H. Oaks

"It is in failing to do the small and simple things that faith wavers, miracles cease, and progress towards the Lord and His kingdom is first put on hold and then begins to unravel as seeking after the kingdom of God is replaced with more temporal pursuits and worldly ambitions."

I had a smoothie and a roll for breakfast, not totally unhealthy.

James was up at 6:10. He went straight upstairs to look and call for elk. 

I like this quote from "Teaching in the Savior's Way:"

"When you record spiritual impressions, you show the Lord that you value His direction, and He will bless you  

with more frequent revelation."

and this one from Elder Richard G. Scott:

"Knowledge carefully recorded is knowledge available in time of need...Recording spiritual direction enhances the likelihood of receiving further light."

James is still going back and forth with Valerie at National Turf. She has been stalling for weeks now regarding payment for the job he did in July. He had to deal with her again this morning before going to work at the Howard's.

I finished reading the New Era today and started the Friend. 

Stacy and Paul went to a seminar last night on how to flip houses without having to put down any money of your own. Stacy called me today and was very excited. The program sounds awesome but we are not in a position to help right now.

I quote from Lola: "I want to be a fancy girl. I can teach you how to be fancy too grandma."

I made chili this afternoon using a recipe I found which is similar to the chili you get at Wendy's. When we were at the Reidhead's the other day Ashley said her mom, who is from Alabama, starts every recipe with chopped onions, celery, and bell pepper. That's how this recipe started. I wonder if Wendy is from the South.

Someone we know saw these bighorn sheep

going towards Springerville north of the 60.

This is not mine but is an example of how

and what to record in a dot/bullet journal.

Card idea

My friend Janet A. recommended

this book.

Finally I found something I can draw!

I'm going to copy some of these ideas

into my daily or dot journal.

Such a sweet little face!

The many adorable faces of Charlie

The late and great Pinky who was

Anthony's companion for 20 years.

Sunday, April 15th, 2018

Porto Alegre, Brazil

102nd operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Dec 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

What should I pray for?

Bible Dictionary, Prayer, paragraph 2

Prayer is nowhere specifically commanded as a duty in the law, and prayers were not prescribed at the sacrifices except on two occasions: a confession of sin on the Day of Atonement (Lev 16:21) and a thanksgiving when offering the firstfruits and tithes (Deut. 26:3, 13). It is, however, certain from the nature of things, and from the custom in later times, that prayer accompanied sacrifice.

Jesus Christ betrayal of

Zechariah 13:6

And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 8:1-21

*What does it mean to you to sustain President Nelson as prophet, seer, and revelator?

- What a blessing to have a prophet, seer, and revelator to learn from the past and to prepare for the future. I still am pondering President Nelson's warning at conference: "In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost."

To me President Nelson is a pilot of a large passenger jet and he just announced to everyone to buckle up, stay in your seat because we are heading into turbulence.
Old Testament
Judges 3-5
3 The children of Israel intermarry with the Canaanites, worship false gods, and are cursed - Othniel judges the Israelites - They serve Moab and are delivered by Ehud, who slays Eglon.
4 Deborah, a prophetess, judges Israel - She and Barak deliver Israel from the Canaanites - Jael, a woman, slays Sisera, the Canaanite.
5 Deborah and Barak sing a song of praise because Israel is delivered from Canaanite bondage.
General Conference

The Powers of the Priesthood

President Dallin H. Oaks

" The magnifying of the holy priesthood you hold is vital to the work of the Lord in your families and in your Church callings."

Up early to finalize my Primary preparations. I had another knee episode last night around midnight but it is better this morning. 

My lesson today is about Jacob's family and the beginning of the 12 tribes of Israel. 

Our sacrament meeting was packed today. Also, Bishop Hall from the high council and all three members of the stake presidency were on the stand. President Shumway leaned around the pulpit to wave at us. We sat in the third row from the front on the right side of the chapel facing the podium.

I was sustained as the second counselor in the Relief Society but was not officially released from Primary. Brother Crane did ask me if I would fill in for a couple of weeks until they got a new Primary teacher. I sure am going to miss these kids.

Talon was the youth speaker. He spoke on staying on the covenant path. I can't remember a better talk given by a youth.

Thomas and Liana Grapp played a hymn on the piano. They are teaching themselves to play.

Bishop Miller spoke next. He talked about his folicle strength as opposed to President Shumway. (He is mostly bald.)

We are led by a prophet of God. Never miss a solemn assembly. Be united and learn how to minister with the pure love of Christ.

President Shumway asked to speak a few words. He spoke very highly of the Vernon ward comparing it to the celestial kingdom and Walmart to the great and spacious building. "By your fruits ye shall know them." God is a God of miracles. What we may think of as coincidences are actually miracles. A coincidence is a miracle where God chooses to remain anonymous. We must be worthy so that revelation will pour out upon us. Our purpose is to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Savior.

During second hour while I was teaching Primary James was in a special priesthood meeting where the Elder's Quorum was reorganized. Thomas Grapp is the President, and Blain Curtis and Sean Hunsaker are his counselors. They were set apart by the stake presidency. Thomas's parents and his brothers were there to support him. James said President Shumway gave him an amazing blessing.

All of my class except for Wyatt were in Primary today and everyone had done their papers except Liana. She always does her paper but she forgot. The kids are sad I am leaving and I am sad too. I am looking forward to serving in Relief Society but my heart will still be in Primary for awhile.

I felt my lesson went quite well and the children were interested in learning about the 12 tribes. I was called out of sharing time to be set apart in Relief Society. 

The sisters in Relief Society now sit in a circle and we were set apart in the middle of the circle, kind of like we were on display. 

Bishop Miller set apart Sister Applegate with her husband assisting. Today is their anniversary so afterwards he gave her a kiss on the cheek. Brother Thompson set apart Sister Halcomb  with the rest of the bishopric assisting. Brother Crane set me apart with James assisting. Afterwards I gave both of them a hug. Bishop Miller set apart Sister Morrison with her husband standing close by. He is a convert and is a Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood. Bishop told Sister Morrison how important secretaries are to a presidency.

I stayed for the lesson taught by Sister Grapp. The lesson was based on Sister Eubank's conference talk from October, "Turn On Your Light." 

After helping me clean up my room and carrying my five baskets of stuff to the car, James drove me home.

I had put a roast on this morning and it smelled so good. We had roast, corn, salad, and rolls for lunch. It was delicious. I love this new roast recipe which uses peppercini's, Ranch powdered dressing, and powdered Aujus flavoring and a cube of butter. I also added onions. It's called Crockpot Mississippi Pot Roast and you cook it on low for 8 hours. Ours was done after 7.

Delicious!

Naptime and then James leaves to go, pardon me for using the old term, "home teaching."

When James came home I was working on my blog. He said that President Shumway was going to call and wanted to talk to both of us. When he called James put him on speaker phone. This is what he said:

"I wanted to talk to you at church but I didn't get a chance.

I want you two to know that the Lord has made it known to me that he approves of you at this very moment in your lives. If you were to meet Him today, He would be well-pleased with you, and take you lovingly into His arms."

He said that this doesn't happen very often and when it does he feels a need to share it with those concerned. I believe this is the most profound thing that anyone has said to either one of us. President Shumway is being released at stake conference on April 29th and I am so sad about that. 

Listened to President Nelson's conference talk from April, 1992, "The Doors of Death." 'Death is essential to our happiness.'

Global Ministry Tour

Jerusalem, Israel - Hours after the United States Armed Forces ordered a strike on Syria, President Russell M. Nelson cut short his stay in Jerusalem, leaving the central location of his global ministry tour following conference sessions at the BYU Jerusalem Center.

At a time of rising tensions, the message of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is more important than ever, he said Saturday morning from the Holy City.

The message of the Lord Jesus Christ is a message of hope, it is a message of love, it is a message of joy," said President Nelson. "It is underlined in this time of a little heightened tension."

Had a nice discussion with some of the kids about conference talks. I quoted some things from Brother Durrant's talk which I had asked them to read earlier in the week.   I heard from Kim, Sheri, and Jared.

Today was a glorious Sabbath Day!

This is the bookmark I got from the stake Primary

when they visited our ward for our ward conference.

I made one for each of my kids and their families.

I study the back of it during the sacrament.

Original size so you can see what I am studying.

Wish it was bigger and more clear.

One of my favorite treats.

They are sweeter than strawberries.

Last night was the Show Low High School prom.

Here are some of the kids from our ward and their dates.

Jackson and his date.

Alice and her jeep.

Alice's brother Talon and his date.

We have some great youth in our ward even though we are a small ward.

Pretty ingenious Khalie.

106 years ago the Titanic sunk 400 miles south

of Newfoundland. 

I wonder if the Lambson's are related to him.

Refueling my love for castles.

Tuesday, November 7th, 2017

Porto Alegre, Brazil

102nd operating temple

Dedicated: 17 Dec 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Ascension of

Ephesians 4:10

He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. 

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 22:1-17

When have you felt Heavenly Father reach out and touch your heart to draw you to Him? "...with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee.." (v.8) "The world is not a safe place. It is not a place where children will feel peace, hope, and direction unless they are taught to love and follow the Savior. Please help them know that these great blessings can be theirs, and show them what they need to do to receive these blessings" (Patricia P. Pineager, Ensign, Nov 1999, 68).

"Prayer is essential to developing faith." (Carol F. McConkie, Ensign, Nov 2016, 25).

Doctrine Covenants Favorite Scriptures

DC 3:19-20

19 And for this very purpose are these plates preserved, which contain these records - that the promises of the Lord might be fulfilled, which he made to his people;

20 And that the Lamanites might come to the knowledge of their fathers, and that they might know the promises of the Lord, and that they may believe the gospel and rely upon the merits of Jesus Christ, and be glorified through faith in his name, and that through their repentance they might be saved. Amen.

General Conference

The Living Bread Which Came Down From Heaven  

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"The doctrine of Christ expresses what we must do to receive atoning grace. It is to believe and have faith in Christ, to repent and be baptized, and to receive the Holy Ghost, 'and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost."

This is the gate, our access to the Savior's atoning grace and to the strait and narrow path leading to His kingdom.

It was overcast all day long but there was no moisture. I want snow!

James borrowed the Hunsaker's compactor today for the new patio. Once he got everything compacted, he realized that he is going to need some more sand. 

I cleaned the living room and family room floor and the family room couch today. I watched some Christmas movies while I was cleaning and blogging. I watched, "The Magic Stocking," "Charming Christmas," "A Crown for Christmas," and James and I watched a new one together, "Miss Christmas."

I also worked on family history, Primary, and planned menus for next week. I got the recipes off Facebook. 

Heartland: "Broken Arrow," and "Eye of the Wolf."

Sad news. Neither Darrel and Trina, or Jared and Kacey are coming for Thanksgiving. Kim and Brian are still coming the day after Thanksgiving so at least we won't be alone. 

I love Summer's smile.

When the elk used to come to visit last year.

Evan's birthday, 2015.

Evan and his Legos

Grandpa sharing some of his wisdom with Alex.

James working on his project

Old Chandler LDS Photos

Ada and Archie Jones at a stake conference

luncheon in 1986.

Archie was a bishop and the stake patriarch. 

Ada at one time served on the Relief Society

General Board.

Dean was our first home teacher and

he and Barbara hired James to build their home.

Leslie and Maurice Christensen.

I don't know who the other brother is.

Evan and Terry Farnsworth, Martin and Suzanne

Kempton and Elder Boyd K. Packer.

Chandler Stake Presidency:

Garth Paxman, Evans Farnsworth, Martin Kempton